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Borwick of Moniave preached and presided; Mr Simpson, Sanquhar, addressed the minister; and Mr Jenkins, Castle-Douglas, the congregation. A soiree was held in the evening, when excellent addresses were delivered by Messrs Simpson, Jenkins, Scott, Goold, and Gardner (Annan). The attendance on both occasions was numerous and respectable. The settlement is a pleasant and promising one. Next meeting of presbytery is to be held at Dumfries, on the first Tuesday of February.

Dundee. This presbytery met on the 9th December, the Rev. James Stirling moderator. Mr George Barclay, student, transferred from the presbytery of Perth, was admitted under the superintendence of this presbytery. Certificates of attendance at the Divinity Hall were read from Professors Lindsay and Eadie in behalf of Mr David Nicol. Inquiries were made regarding the Synod Fund Collection-found, that some congregations had made it, and that others were about to do so. Subjects of discussion were assigned to John M'Nab, student of the fourth year; to Messrs David Rattray, George Barclay, and D. M'Owan, of the third; to Mr David Mair, of the second; and to Mr David Nicol, of the first year. The presbytery meets on Tuesday, 2d February next.

Dunfermline.-This presbytery met at Muckart on the 9th of December, and ordained Mr William Cochran to the pastoral charge of the congregation of that place. The Rev. Mr Middleton preached the ordination sermon, and the Rev. Dr M'Michael presided, and addressed the minister and the congregation on their respective duties and obligations. Mr John More passed another part of his trials for license. The next meeting of presbytery is to be held at Dunfermline on Tuesday, 2d February, and the overture for the formation of a Synod in England is to be considered at that meeting.

Glasgow. This presbytery met on Tuesday, 8th December, and was chiefly occupied with the examination of students, candidates for license. Eight students (whose names are given in another column of this Magazine), having completed their trial exercises, to the great satisfaction of the presbytery, were licensed as preachers of the Gospel.

Hamilton. This court met in Muir Street Church session-house, on the 25th November-Rev. Henry A. Paterson, Stonehouse, moderator. Mr Peter Leys, preacher of the Gospel, again appeared, and gave the remainder of his trials for ordination, all of which were unanimously sustained, and his ordination to the office of the ministry was appointed to take place in the First Church, Strathaven, on Wed

nesday, the 17th December-the Rev. Mr Laughland, Newarthill, to preach, the Rev. Mr Struthers, of Hamilton, to preside, ordain and give the charge to the minister, and the Rev. Mr Brown to give the charge to the people. Mr John M. Lambie, student, gave the remainder of his trials for license, with all of which the presbytery unanimously expressed their satisfaction, and accordingly licensed him to preach the everlasting Gospel. The presbytery recommended to the different congregations within their bounds to set apart a day, or part of a day, as early as convenient, for thanksgiving to God for the late abundant harvest. This presbytery met again on the 17th December, in the First Church, Strathaven, for the ordination of Mr Peter Leys-Rev. Mr Struthers, moderator. All the members of presbytery were present; and also the Rev. Dr Robson, and Mr Edmond, of Glasgow, Mr Carswell, of Eaglesham, and Mr Clark, of Barrhead, from the presbytery of Glasgow; and Mr Cordiner, of Lesmahagow, from the presbytery of Lanark. The Rev. Mr Laughland preached, the Rev. Mr Struthers ordained, and gave the charge to the minister, and the Rev. Mr Brown, of Wishawtown, gave the charge to the people. Next meeting is to be held in the session-house of Muir Street Church, Hamilton, on the last Tuesday of January.

Kelso. This presbytery met on Tuesday, 2d December. Reports were received as to the annual collection for the Synod's General Fund. The half yearly statement was read and passed from the church of Leitholm, with whose steady progress the presbytery expressed satisfaction. Certificates from the professors were received, attesting the attendance of Messrs Oliver and Scott, students of theology, who were transferred at their request to the bounds respectively of the presbyteries of Glasgow and Orkney. The following motion was submitted by the Rev. H. Renton, and unanimously agreed to:-"Seeing in Divine providence the subjects of Popery and of the Maynooth endowment engage a large and prominent share of public attention; and we cannot without a heavy responsibibity decline the consideration and fulfilment of the duty which in reference to both subjects devolves upon us as Protestants and as Voluntaries; and it is incumbent on us to improve the opportunity to enlighten the public mind, and specially the congregations under our care, regarding the unmitigated nature of Popery, and regarding the grounds on which alone its endowment can be justly resisted; the presbytery recommend as seasonable in itself, and as a preparation for whatever steps may afterwards be taken towards the

abatement of these formidable evils by its members and the people under its charge in their capacity of christian citizens, that all the ministers do in the course of this present month, or of January ensuing, make the errors of Popery the subject of special pulpit ministration." It was moved by the Rev. R. Monteath, and cordially agreed to "That the presbytery express their high gratification at seeing their esteemed brother, the Rev. H. Renton, once more amongst them after a long absence, and that they render thanks to a gracious Providence, through which he has been delivered out of many and great perils incurred while discharging faithfully the arduous duties of his important mission to Caffraria." Mr Renton made a suitable acknowledgment. Reports from sessions were called for in reference to the more liberal support of the gospel ministry. A report from the session of Morebattle was given in and read. The consideration of the matter was delayed until farther opportunity be afforded for the other sessions to report. The clerk was instructed to direct the attention of absent members to the order of the Synod requiring annual statistics to be given in to the committee before the 1st of February. It was agreed to take up at next meeting the overture sent down from the Synod on the subject of the formation of an English Synod. The Rev. Hugh Darling, Stitchel, was chosen moderator for the next twelve months; the Rev. R. Monteath was reelected treasurer, and the Rev. James Jarvie, clerk. The next meeting was fixed for the first Tuesday of February 1852.

Kirkcaldy. This presbytery met at Leven on 25th Nov. Mr William Johnston, student of Divinity of the fifth year, transferred from the presbytery of Edinburgh, was examined, and had assigned him subjects of trial for license. Duplicates of accounts of income and expenditure of the congregations of Crail and Anstruther, were lodged. Three students appeared, and gave an account of the lectures which they had attended at the Hall. The presbytery expressed their satisfaction with the said students, and encouraged them to prosecute their studies. Excuses of absence for two students were presented, which the presbytery declined to sustain. Three students were neither present nor sent excuses. With their conduct the presbytery expressed disapprobation, and they were enjoined to appear at next meeting, with certification. The presbytery then gave advice in a case of discipline; and appointed next meeting of presbytery to be held in Kirkcaldy on the last Tuesday of January.

Lanark. This presbytery met on 9th December, the Rev. Peter Macfarlane mo

derator. The greater part of the sederunt was occupied in hearing the exercises of the students, under the oversight of the presbytery. Mr James Frame delivered a lecture, Mr Scott a sermon, and Mr Munn a sermon. Mr Riddel, student of the first year, was certified by the presbytery of Newcastle to the superintendence of this presbytery, and had the usual exercises prescribed to him. It was agreed to transfer Mr Robert Scott, student of the first year, to the oversight of the presbytery of Galloway, within whose bounds he at present resides. The remaining business was not of public interest. The next meeting of presbytery was appointed to be held on Tuesday, 3d February next.

Lancashire. This presbytery met in Liverpool, 11th November. An application was made by Ramsey congregation for a member of presbytery to preside in moderating in a call for a pastor, and in dispensing the Supper of the Lord. Mr Galloway of Sutton was appointed to dispense the Supper to the congregation on the last Sabbath of November, and to act in the moderation according to circumstances. The deputation appointed to Bradford, gave in their report; Dr Crichton stating that he dispensed the Supper to the congregation in that town, with great comfort; also that, on the Tuesday following, he and Mr M'Kerrow and Mr Scott, attended a congregational meeting there, and they regarded this meeting as exceedingly encouraging. The presbytery expressed their gratification with the report, and tendered their thanks to the deputation. It was arranged to have missionary services in Liverpool, Birkenhead, Manchester, and Blackburn, on the last three Sabbaths of November, and during the succeeding weeks. Mr Stitt reported the revived and prosperous condition of Sutton congregation, and that the purchasing of the property was completed for L.420. Immediate steps were requisite in order to raise this sum. The presbytery recommend this case to the liberality of the churches. Commissioners from Bradford were present, and laid on the table papers relative to excess of stipend paid to their late pastor, and craved the advice of this court. The papers being read, and explanatory statements heard - the presbytery, considering the peculiar circumstances of the case, particularly the large expenses incurred in Mr Wallace's removal to Bradford-the manner in which the funds of the congregation had been disposed of by those of the committee who left along with Mr Wallace on the evening of their resignation, and the amount of current expenses then remaining unpaidagreed nem. con. that the claim made by the congregation is well founded, and that

the clerk intimate this opinion to Mr Wallace. Next meeting is to be held at Manchester on the second Tuesday of January.

Melrose. This presbytery met at Melrose on 9th December. A transference of Mr Z. Baillie, student of divinity, of the second year, from the presbytery of Edinburgh, was read, and also certificates from the Professors, of his attendance during the last session of the Hall. The presbytery assigned him the subject of a discourse for next meeting. Reports were called for as to the collection for the Synod Fund. The presbytery agreed to take into consideration, at next meeting, the matters referred to presbyteries by the Synod; and also such other things in the Synod minutes as may call for observation. Next meeting is to be at Melrose, on Tuesday, 3d February. Newcastle. This presbytery met on 2d December. A unanimous call from the congregation of Hexham to the Rev. Alexander Henderson, on its being sustained, was accepted by him. His induction was appointed to take place on Wednesday, 31st Dec. The committee for Swalwell reported their proceedings. Their diligence was approved. The call to Mr Dodds was still kept on the presbytery's table, and another committee meeting appointed to be held with the congregation there. Petitions from Stockton and Walker, for a moderation, with the view of obtaining a fixed pastor, were granted,-Mr Douglas to preside at Stockton, and Mr Carmichael at Walker, on the 18th December. The committee for Blackett Street having had an election of elders in the congregation there, were instructed to take regular measures for their ordination. Mr James Ker, student of the third year, being transferred to this presbytery, was appointed to be examined on the subjects prescribed by the Synod. After some conversation, it was agreed that the ordinary meetings of the presbytery continue to be held at Newcastle.

Paisley and Greenock.-This presbytery held its ordinary meeting at Greenock on 16th December, the Rev. S. M'Nab moderator pro tem. Mr James Dunlop, probationer, delivered all his trial discourses, and his ordination was appointed to take place at Kilmaronock on the 6th January 1852, public worship to commence at 12 o'clock noon. The Rev. James Inglis was appointed to preach, the Rev. Wyville S. Thomson to ordain and address the minister, and the Rev. R. Cairns to address the congregation. Mr John B. Logan, under trials for license, delivered three exercises, which were sustained. A transference of Mr James Ronaldson, student of the third year, was received from the Galloway presbytery. The presbytery having ascertained that the greater number of congregations

in the bounds pay the expenses of their ministers and elders in attending meetings of presbytery and Synod, adopted measures to urge those who do not pay to perform this duty, if in their power, in common with sister congregations. The next meeting of presbytery was appointed to be held at Paisley on the first Tuesday of February 1852.

Stirling. This presbytery met on the 2d of December. Almost all the members present reported that their congregations had collected in October for the Synod Fund. A student's certificates from the Hall having been presented, without one from the presbytery, under whose care he last was, the question arose,-Whether it was not necessary for a student to be certified by his presbytery as well as by the Professors, when, on leaving the Hall, he goes into the bounds of another presbytery? It was agreed to ascertain the mind of the Synod on this point, it being understood that no right or privilege of the student be affected by this decision. An application, by Mr Anderson, formerly of Blairlogie, to be restored to the office of a preacher of the Gospel, was unanimously refused. As the clerk of presbytery was still unable, from the state of his voice, to occupy his pulpit, it was resolved that, should it be found necessary, each minister of the presbytery preach for him a second time, and that this supply be given every alternate Sabbath. Next meeting to be held on the first Tuesday of February next.

PROBATIONERS LICENSED.

Mr John M. Lambie, by the presbytery of Hamilton, 1st December.

Messrs John Carrick, Andrew Graham, John Kirkwood, John Macfarlane, Alexander Miller, Matthew M'Naughton, Gabriel Smith, and Andrew Whyte, by the presbytery of Glasgow, 8th December.

Mr James Rome, by the presbytery of Annandale, 15th December.

CALLS MODERATED.

Ramsey, Isle of Man.—Mr John Stillie, loway, of Sutton, presiding. probationer, called 1st December-Mr Gal

Campbelton, Inverness.-Mr Wm. Drummond, probationer, called 2d December -Mr Bisset of Nairn presiding.

ORDINATIONS.

Muckart.-Mr William Cochrane, ordained 9th December-Mr Middleton of Kinross, and Professor M-Michael, officiating.

Strathaven, 1st Congregation.—Mr Peter Leys, ordained 17th December- Messrs

Laughland of Newarthill, Struthers of Hamilton, and Brown of Wishaw, officiating.

Alnwick, Clayport Street.-Mr William Limont ordained on Tuesday, 23d December -Rev. W. Ross, Rev. James Stark, and Rev. John Cairns, officiating.

OBITUARY.

Died, at Roseknowe, near Glasgow, on 24th Nov., after a long illness, the Rev. William Brash, 2d minister of the East United Presbyterian Church, Campbell Street, Glasgow, in the 58th year of his age, and 36th of his ministry.

BELL STREET CHURCH, DUNDEE-CENTENARY MEETING.

THE hundredth anniversary of the United Presbyterian congregation, worshipping in Bell Street Church, Dundee, occurred on Sabbath, 14th December. In the forenoon the Rev. Mr Borwick, pastor of the church,

delivered an address, detailing the history of the United Secession Church in Dundee till the formation of that congregation, whose history he then referred to at considerable length. The Rev. Dr King of Glasgow preached in the afternoon and evening. There was a numerous attendance on each of the three occasions; and a liberal collection was obtained for the liquidation of the debt upon their place of worship. The event was also celebrated on Monday night by a numerously-attended soiree, which was held in Bell Street Hall-the Rev. Mr Borwick, presiding. The blessing having been asked by Dr Dick of Broughty Ferry, whose name stood first on the baptismal register of the congregation of parties still alive, addresses were delivered by the Rev. Dr M Kelvie of Balgedie (on the early history of the Secession Church, north of the Tay); the Rev. Mr Lamb of Erroll; Dr Taylor of Auchtermuchty; the Rev. Mr M'Gavin; and the Rev. Mr Gilfillan.

Monthly Retrospect.

A ROLAND FOR AN OLIVER-AUSTRIA GIVING AMERICA A LESSON ON THE RIGHTS OF MAN.

EVERY one is familiar with the fact, that Our transatlantic cousins are on sufficiently good terms with themselves. It is their perpetual boast, that they are the freest and most enlightened people upon the face of the earth. And it cannot be denied, that they have some good grounds for this self-complacency. They have the most liberal form of political government, and as respects the general diffusion of education, they probably occupy the foremost place. But who has not heard of American slavery as well as of American freedom? Have not the groans of the black man been wafted to our shores in strange and melancholy combination with the boastings of the white? A severe rebuke has just been applied to these Republican atrocities, and comes from a quarter where, least of all, it was to be expected. It is the Austrian despot who has laid the knout upon the shoulders of our American brother; and without professing any fervent esteem for the Austrian policy, it is impossible not to acknowledge the skill and power with which the scourge has been handled. The dexterity of a master is seen in every stroke of the instrument of torture. How has this singular conjuncture taken place? When the war was raging in Hungary, the United States Government sent an agent there, to

open up a communication with the chiefs of the popular movement. This procedure was resented and complained of by the Austrian Court. In reply to the imperial remonstrance, a dispatch was forwarded by Mr Daniel Webster, secretary of state. This document, it is supposed, was penned by Webster, as much, at least, with the view of forming political capital for the next presidential election, as for enlightening the court at Vienna, on the principles of constitutional government and the rights of man. However, in this dispatch, the conduct of the United States in sending a commissioner to Hungary, during the struggle, was defended on the ground, that the United States are "the representatives of purely popular principles of government," that on these principles the United States "themselves wholly founded," and hence, it is argued, that they must sympathise with all movements, wherever and by whomsoever made, on behalf of liberty and equality.

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The response to this dispatch by the Austrian minister at the court at Washington is most crushing. It reminds Daniel Webster, that in sixteen of the thirty-one states, a very large portion of the inhabitants are kept in a state of degrading personal servitude, with total prohibition of political and social rights, utterly unknown in any portion of the Austrian dominions," and that "even those states in which this system does not exist, are pledged to sup

port it in the others; for which purpose the general government is the instrument and agent." It reminds him, that whatever opinions are held in Austria, on the exercise of political power, the Emperor "has not yet found it necessary to prohibit, under severe penalties, the teaching of any portion of his subjects to read and write; on the other hand, all Austrian parents are required by law to send their children to school, to be instructed in these necessary accomplishments." The American secretary of state, in order to show the irreconcilable antagonism between the principles of the Austrian and American government, had quoted an extract from an official circular of Austria in 1841. The passage is as follows:- "Useful and necessary changes in legislation and administration ought only to emanate from the free will and intelligent conviction of those whom God has rendered responsible for power. All that deviates from this law leads to disorder, commotions, and evils far more insufferable than those which they pretend to remedy." The irony of the following comment of the Austrian minister is exquisite !

"And can your Excellency say, that there is any doctrine here laid down not perfectly consistent with the principles and practice of the American Government? Does your Excellency admit any right on the part of the slaves-that is to say, the large majority of the native population of South Carolina-to rise against and to overturn the rule of their white masters? Is not the government of the United States pledged to interfere to put down any such insurrection? Do not the slaveholders of South Carolina, and of the other States, claim to hold their power directly from God, and to be responsible to Him alone for its exercise? And do they not rely on the Bible to prove it? The undersigned begs leaves to entertain the opinion, and he boldly appeals to the civilised world for the justice of it, that the right of the Emperor of Austria to decide alone and exclusively upon the political changes necessary and proper to be made in Hungary, is, at least, as good as the title of a hundred thousand American slaveholders to keep in sole dependence upon their will and pleasure upwards of three millions of their fellow-countrymen, while they reduce the remaining twenty millions of nominal freemen to the hardly more enviable condition of slave-drivers and slave-hunters."

We trust our American brethren will ponder these things and lay them up in their heart. It is not only British Christians, but Austrian despots, who are taking them to task, for the wrongs they are inflicting upon the sons and daughters of Africa. Is it not enough, that an American slaveholder is not allowed to be a member of the British Section of the Evangelical Alliance? Must the tyrants of continental Europe

also point at them the finger of scorn when they utter a word in favour of human rights? How long shall Washington be at once a market for slaves and the seat of government? How long shall the President and the Negro-auctioneer shake hands as symbols alike of republican institutions? One thing we know from history, that republican slavery, while the most indefensible in principle, has always been the worst in practice. And one thing also we know, from the Bible, that a just God must take vengeance for these things, and all the more, because done by those who profess to fear his name, and to be guided by his law.

THE CAFFRE WAR.

THE war is still raging in south Africa. There have been several mails within the last few weeks; and the intelligence as to the success of the contending parties has been more or less of a mixed character. According to the former accounts, large bodies of the Caffres had dispersed themselves over the colony, and were pursuing their work of plunder, upon a large scale, and with little opposition. The last mail brings tidings of a sanguinary conflict, or rather of two, between General Somerset and Makomo. The chief had taken up a position on the strong fastness of the Waterkloof, about fifty miles north-west of Graham's Town. Attempts were made to dislodge him on the 14th and 16th October; but with very partial success. About 400 Caffres are said to be killed and wounded; and 40 on the side of the Queen's troops. There are rumours of a large force about to be collected, with the object of driving Makomo and the Caffres eastward of the river Kei. The private letters from the colony, have a less confident tone in regard to the speedy termination of this disastrous contest, than appears in the government dispatches: It is almost a feeling of despair, and the demand is still for more troops from Britain.

We have never attempted to disguise it from ourselves and others, that the Caffres will be ultimately defeated. It is the argument of the "Times," the " Morning Chronicle," and the "Examiner," while admitting substantially the unjust treatment of the Aborigines, that the war, now that it has been entered upon, and whether right or wrong, must be pursued, until the savages are compelled to acknowledge the superiority of the British arms. Whatever policy be subsequently adopted, whether mild or coercive measures, it is contended they must first of all be conquered. Viewing right and wrong as dependent upon an in flexible standard, which cannot be modified to make it suit the supposed exigencies of

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